**Regretfully Withdrawn** 1959 Lotus Elite Series 1

The Lotus Elite was launched at the London Motor Show at Earls Court, London, in 1957 as a unique fibreglass 'monocoque' construction.

The car was regarded as a very pretty design back in the day and it went on to enjoy great success, both on road and track, even racing at Le Mans - where it won its class no less than six times at La Sarthe. The 'SE' and 'Super' models followed shortly thereafter featuring; twin Webers, a fabricated exhaust manifold, a ZF gearbox, Lucas PL700 headlamps and a silver coloured roof. Between 1958 and 1963 just 1030 Elite's had been produced in total, worldwide.

This extremely pretty Series I, original right hand drive, Elite was first registered on the 9th September 1959, supplied by Michael Christie Motors of Aylesbury, and was the 43rd production model to leave the Lotus factory.

The car was used in the UK by the first owner and then subsequently exported to Germany in 1967 when it was acquired by a noted German Lotus collector, Peter Loderer. Having been dry stored for 30 years as part of a significant collection, it was finally repatriated to the UK in 2002. It was then comprehensively restored and rebuilt to 'Super' specification. The Coventry Climax FWE engine was rebuilt to stage III specification by renowned specialist, Mike Brotherhood. It incorporated a 5 bearing high lift camshaft, twin Webers, a 4 branch fabricated exhaust manifold, a remote oil filter and 'Bendix' type fuel pump. The gearbox fitted is a ZF close ratio with a 4.2:1 rear axle ratio.

The body was fully stripped to the gel coat, rebuilt and repainted to incorporate a NACA style duct in the bonnet, a Monza type fuel filler cap, strong 60 spoke wheels, Lucas 'long range' PL 700 lights, a heater demister unit and full harnesses.

Additonally the brake and clutch systems were renewed and replaced along with all hub and suspension bearings and bushes. The rear suspension and hub carriers were also reinforced. Inside the cabin has been re-trimmed in original pattern grey carpet (along with the boot), and tan leather upholstery to the seats.

The car presents extremely well today, and this includes the engine bay and the underneath. It is in great mechanical condition, as it should, having covered only 700 miles in total since the full restoration. With values now starting to climb as the rarity of these little cars becomes more apparent, this is Silverstone Auction's tip for a future long term investment, with a very high fun factor along the way! The car comes to the auction with an indepent mechanical report (done October 2013) from noted Lotus experts, Paul Matty Sportscars, confirming the current mechanical condition of the car.